Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Robert K. Dearth
Second Advisor
Dr. Mario Gil
Third Advisor
Dr. Nirakar Sahoo
Abstract
Neurogenesis is a critical component of fetal neurodevelopment consisting of: migration, proliferation and differentiation. Health concerns from anxiety to reproductive issues have been linked to alterations of neurogenesis processes. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can mimic hormones vital to this process, potentially adversely affecting the susceptible fetal brain. One EDC, Levonorgestrel (LNG), is a testosterone-like progestin used in birth control methods that has a high bioavailability and long half-life. Using zebrafish embryos as a model, this lab previously discovered that an environmentally relevant LNG dose (5 ng/L) significantly increased anxiety behaviors. The hypothalamus is responsible for the development of behavior and puberty and is rich in steroidogenic receptors. Thus, I sought to determine if the behavioral changes were linked to neural changes in the hypothalamus. The present study reveals that LNG exposure before zygotic transcription until post fertilization day 5 increases neural differentiation that can be linked to behavioral changes.
Recommended Citation
Hinojosa, Gabriella, "Assessing the Effects of Levonorgestrel (LNG) on Neural Differentiation in the Developing Hypothalamus Using the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Model" (2022). Theses and Dissertations. 1054.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1054
Comments
Copyright 2022 Gabriella Hinojosa. All Rights Reserved.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/assessing-effects-levonorgestrel-lng-on-neural/docview/2711320658/se-2?accountid=7119